The Fondation Louis Vuitton is hosting France's first retrospective of Mark Rothko since 1999, displaying 115 artworks sourced from significant international collections and Rothko's family collection. The exhibition unfolds chronologically, capturing Rothko's artistic evolution from early figurative paintings and urban landscapes to his iconic abstract works of the 1950s, characterized by overlapping rectangular shapes.

The retrospective delves into Rothko's pivotal moments, including his influential Seagram Building murals and the dedication of the first "Rothko Room" at the Phillips Collection in 1960. It explores Rothko's acceptance of new commissions in the 1960s, such as the Rothko Chapel in Houston. The exhibition also sheds light on Rothko's evolving colour palette, emphasizing his inclination toward darker tones since the late 1950s while cautioning against simplistic interpretations of his 1969-1970 Black and Grey series.

The presentation concludes in the tallest room of the Frank Gehry building, where Rothko's works are strategically juxtaposed with Alberto Giacometti's sculptural figures, offering a unique environment reminiscent of Rothko's vision for an unrealized UNESCO commission. This setting provides a contemplative space to engage with Rothko's enduring questions and challenges conventional perceptions of him as merely a "colourist." The retrospective provides a comprehensive overview of Rothko's career and offers a nuanced reinterpretation of his lasting artistic legacy.

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